Missilou and Rose on target as Cobblers end losing run with win over Swindon Town

Town produced their best 45 minutes of the season in the first-half and took a two-goal lead into the interval thanks to Christopher Missilou and Danny Rose, who both scored their first goals for the club.

Swindon had fired a few warning shots before half-time though and they totally dominated the second-half, with Tyler Smith's penalty setting up a tense finish.

It was backs to the wall stuff but Town just about got the job done for a pressure-relieving three points and their first home league win of the campaign.

Goalkeeper Steve Arnold made way for Jonathan Mitchell after his mistakes at the weekend in one of four changes from the defeat to Plymouth.

Ryan Watson, Joe Martin and Shaun McWilliams also dropped out, replaced by Christopher Missilou, Nicky Adams and Benny Ashley-Seal.

It was evident from an early stage that Cobblers were looking to keep the ball on the floor a bit more and that approach paid off with just seven minutes played.

Adams should have scored himself following slick combination play with Ashley-Seal but after his shot was saved by Matej Kovar, Missilou made no mistake with the rebound, heading the ball home.

Town were getting into good areas as both Rose and Adams missed their targets with good crossing opportunities, before Jack Payne shot straight at Mitchell in Swindon's first chance.

The visitors were beginning to get into their stride and Jonny Smith blazed over the crossbar when well-placed, while Ricky Korboa and Rose then did likewise at the other end.

But Rose was not to be denied just shy of the half-hour mark.

Missilou turned provider as he showed great strength, composure and vision to drive from midfield and chip the ball over the top and Rose did the rest, slotting into the bottom corner to double Town's lead.

Swindon were far from out of the game though and they really should have halved the deficit before half-time but Matthew Smith fired straight into the gloves of Mitchell and then former Cobblers loan man Hallam Hope hit the wrong side of the net.

Cian Bolger bailed out team-mate Fraser Horsfall with a superb block early in the second-half and then Sowerby cleared the stand as well at the crossbar after driving into the box.

Swindon dominated the second-half as Jonathan Grounds clipped the crossbar with a sweet volley and they were back in the game with 15 minutes to go when Missilou brought down Tyler Smith and the Swindon substitute picked himself up to score from the spot.

It should have been 2-2 four minutes later when Horsfall badly underhit a back pass but fortunately for him Tyler Smith somehow made a mess of the finish and Town survived.

Swindon pushed men forward in the closing stages but the Cobblers defended well and there was only one real scare when the visitors forced the ball home in stoppage-time, however the whistle had gone for a foul on Mitchell.

Town saw out the remaining few seconds to secure a much-needed victory.

Match facts

Cobblers: Mitchell, Harriman, Bolger (c), Horsfall, Missilou, Sowerby, Hoskins, Adams (Marshall 84), Korboa, Ashley-Seal (Smith 45), Rose (Watson 76)

Subs not used: Arnold, Martin, Racic, Chukwuemeka

Swindon: Kovar, Caddis, Grounds, Baudry (c), J Smith, M Smith, Odimayo, Payne (Jaiyesimi 54), Stevens (J Grant 64), A Grant, Hope (T Smith 70)

Subs not used: Curran, Fryer, Holland

Referee: Jarred Gillett